Early start to traffic nightmare as long weekend ends

THE M1 remains heavily congested north of Brisbane as Easter holidaymakers return home after the long weekend.

Brisbane-bound traffic on M1 at Glass House Mountains. Picture: Ric Frearson/AAP

THE M1 on the Sunshine Coast remains very congested southbound from Beerburrum to Elimbah as holidaymakers return to Brisbane after the Easter long weekend.

Drivers have been urged to allow for extra travel time as lengthy delays are expected.

Earlier, motorists were sitting in traffic on the M1 and Sunshine Motorway for about 40 minutes.

At Tanawha, congestion was developing from the Sunshine Motorway’s westbound lanes into the M1’s southbound lanes, a total distance of 5km.

Heaviest Sunshine Coast traffic at 1.45pm. Picture: Google Maps

That gridlock has also slowed M1 southbound traffic for 7km approaching the interchange.

Southbound traffic was also congested between Bells Creek and Glass House Mountains, with a 12-minute delay, and Caboolture, with delays of a few minutes.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has issued an alert over the gridlock, with frustrations set to ramp up through today as the holiday exodus plays out on major roads through the afternoon.

"We'll leave after lunch to beat the traffic home!" said EVERYONE.
Traffic is already bumper to bumper on the Bruce Highway southbound at Beerburrum #sctraffic pic.twitter.com/ZuPiOFLyjT

— RACQ (@RACQOfficial) April 2, 2018

A man aged in his 30s is in a serious condition following a motorcycle crash in the Upper Mary Valley area of the Sunshine Coast.

Queensland Ambulance Service media said the incident happened about 1.15pm off Pullen Lane at Kenilworth.

Emergency services airlifted the man to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a serious condition with chest and abdominal injuries.

Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, the run on the M1 has been relatively painless following 15km of gridlock earlier in the day.

Motorists heading north were experiencing delays from Tugun to Robina.

The heaviest patches were at the Currumbin, Palm Beach, Reedy Creek, Mudgeeraba and Robina exits.

Heaviest Gold Coast traffic at 1.45pm. Picture: Google Maps

Southbound traffic was flowing freely and the rest of the Gold Coast section of the M1 was clear to Brisbane.

Motorists travelling around the Gold Coast should also avoid Cotlew Street at Ashmore after 3pm because of the Queen’s Baton Relay.